Former Williams-Sonoma Brand president Richard Harvey joined Corte Madera, Calif.-based Restoration Hardware as chief merchandising officer for RH Kitchen and Tableware, expected to launch in late 2014. 

In his new role, Harvey is charged to develop a curated collection of kitchen furniture, appliances, lighting, cookware, tools and food. 

Jacuzzi Brands Corp. today appointed Peter Munk as president of Global Spa, a newly created role.

Munk will focus his efforts on the growth of the spa business worldwide, to include sales and marketing, engineering and product development, and global operations strategy.

Munk joined Jacuzzi in April 2011 as head of the Jacuzzi European business units, Prior to joining Jacuzzihe was president and general manager for ACCO Brands EMEA + Asia, and VP consumer products at Black & Decker Europe.

The Parr Lumber Co. board of directors has appointed James Boyer president of the company and its subsidiaries. 

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization during a rapidly evolving and exciting time in our industry,” said Boyer. “The Parr Co., the customers and partners have been such an important part of my life; I am looking forward to the new role and additional opportunities to serve this company and the customers.”

Ron Beal, president and CEO of Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill, presented his views on hardware distribution during the President's Council meeting in Las Vegas. Here are the highlights.

"I've been at this a long time. One of the things that always impressed me is how simple distribution is to conceptualize, but how complex and how difficult it can be to actually execute. … It's pretty easy to understand why companies are not exactly standing in line to get in the business of distributing hardware products."

In Hartville, Ohio, sits America's largest independent home center at 305,000 sq. ft. In the middle of Hartville Hardware sits a house constructed entirely of U.S.-made products — from the foundation to the sheet rock, paint and appliances.

"There's definitely been an increase in people wanting to buy U.S.-made products," says Howard Miller, president of Hartville Hardware, a member of the Do it Best co-op. "General Electric makes washers and dryers in the U.S. and people love that. They're asking for U.S.-made all the time."

Las Vegas — In the not-too-distant future, 84 Lumber sees itself giving its potential customers two bids — one regular bid, and one bid consisting exclusively of American-made products.

When it happens, builders may be surprised at the similarity in total costs, according to Jeff Nobers, VP marketing for the Eighty Four, Pa.-based pro dealer.

The all-American bid system is one of the ideas stemming from 84 Lumber's new initiative to encourage builders and consumers to buy American when building — called "We Build American."